NIL & College Sports
Name, Image, and Likeness deals, transfer portal dynamics, and the transformation of collegiate athletics.
54 articles
March Madness Viewership Spike Reinforces NCAA Tournament’s Media Power
The opening weekend of the 2026 NCAA Tournament delivered a strong business signal: March Madness is still one of the most valuable live-sports properties in media. Early-round audiences rose across broadcast and cable, strengthening the NCAA’s leverage with advertisers, networks and future rights negotiations.
$5,000 NIL dispute signals a bigger fight over college athlete pay
A relatively small NIL dispute is drawing outsized attention because it could influence how college sports handles athlete compensation going forward. What looks like a $5,000 disagreement may become a precedent-setting test of enforcement, contract structure and the balance of power in the NIL economy.
DraftKings-NCAA trademark fight exposes the commercial value of March Madness branding
DraftKings has pushed back against the NCAA’s trademark infringement lawsuit, arguing that its use of March Madness-related terms is protected speech and part of the standard language of college basketball and sports betting. The dispute underscores how deeply tournament branding has been monetized, and how aggressively governing bodies are moving to protect intellectual property tied to live sports audiences.
Revenue-sharing’s biggest flaw is already showing: college sports may not be able to enforce its own cap
College sports’ new revenue-sharing model was designed to impose order on a chaotic marketplace, but early signs suggest the system may be easier to work around than to police. As schools continue to funnel money into football and explore indirect spending channels, the cap risks becoming more of a financial guideline than a true restraint.
NCAA’s DraftKings setback shows how hard it is to police March Madness’s commercial value in real time
A federal judge’s refusal to grant the NCAA a temporary restraining order against DraftKings gives the sportsbook room to keep using NCAA Tournament language while the trademark case moves forward. The decision is an early reminder that even powerful sports brands can struggle to enforce their rights quickly when the commercial window is already open.
Nate Ament’s NIL blueprint shows how top college stars are building pro-ready brands
Tennessee freshman Nate Ament is not only helping power a Sweet Sixteen run, he is also offering a case study in how elite college athletes are managing NIL as a business asset. With a seven-figure valuation, a major footwear partnership and a trusted support system, Ament’s approach highlights how today’s top prospects are preparing for the NBA before they ever leave campus.